Purchasing Specialist I en City of Carson, CA

About the Department

Come join the City of Carson Finance Department! 

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, detail-oriented professional with at least two years of purchasing experience and a solid background in clerical and financial recordkeeping. They demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of purchasing principles, municipal procurement processes, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and policies. This individual is skilled in interpreting and reviewing contracts, reconciling discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with procurement standards. They must be able to manage a high volume of complex Citywide purchases, balancing daily operational needs with long-term procurement planning.

This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, works independently with minimal supervision, and demonstrates strong initiative and critical thinking. Proficiency in modern office software is essential, along with the ability to manage multiple administrative tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—are vital for maintaining documentation, preparing reports, and coordinating with internal departments and external vendors. The ability to interpret and apply complex policies and regulations to ensure continuous compliance is key to success in this role.

Vacancy Information:
There is one (1) current full-time (FLSA Non-exempt) vacancy, with a 4/10 schedule: Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (includes a 1- hour unpaid lunch break). Work hours and/or work schedule may be changed based on the needs of the City.

Position Duties

1. Assists in the performance of purchasing operations of the City and follows established Purchasing ordinances, polices, procedures and laws.
2. Discusses purchase requisition or purchase order with user workgroups, divisions and vendors.
3. Follows up on purchase orders for delivery/completion of supplies, equipment and services.
4. May assist buyers in obtaining prices from catalogs, by telephone or personal contact with vendors.
5. Responsible for updating the city database for commodity listing as requested by vendors or buying staff; may also make inquiries of vendors to add to city vendor lists for quotes, bid, etc.
6. Performs clerical duties in support of bid, proposal and quotation preparation for a wide variety of supplies, equipment and services.
7. Prepares bid or proposal packages for mailing, including file set-up, necessary posting and advertising forms, etc.
8. Prepares periodic and special reports and correspondence.
9. Distributes purchasing documents and maintains all purchasing records and files including regular purchase orders, term purchase orders and contact purchase orders, general correspondence, etc.
10. Back-up division timekeeper; maintains records of division employee attendance and leave schedules; processes payroll biweekly.
11. Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Purchasing principles and practices.
• State and City purchasing laws and policies.
• Sources of supplies, commodity markets, marketing practices, commodity pricing methods and discounts.
• Types of supplies, materials and equipment commonly used in municipalities.
• Modern office practices.
• Computers and related software.

• Interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations and policies affecting City purchasing operations.
• Assist in preparation of accurate specifications and bid packages.
• Assist in sale of surplus materials.
• Prepare and present a wide variety of written and oral reports.
• Type at a rate of 45 wpm from clear copy.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Other Qualifications

Employee accommodations for physical and mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Positions in this class normally:
 

• Require vision (which may be corrected) to read small print.
• Require mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects.  Lower body mobility may not be required.
• Perform lifting, pushing and/or pulling which does not exceed 50 pounds and is an infrequent aspect of the job.
• Is subject to inside environmental conditions.
• May be required to work at a video computer monitor for prolonged periods.

• SME Review, no weight 
• Selection Interview, weighted 100%

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to adjust, modify, delete and/or change the above exam types and/or weights.   Supplemental questionnaires are used to evaluate applicant’s indicated abilities with the ideal candidate profile. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to invite those amongst the highest scoring to the next phase of the recruitment. 

Appointment:  

Any offer of employment, or acceptance of an employment offer, is contingent upon passing live scan, background check and other required tests. All new employees are required to take a loyalty oath.

Other Information:  

The City of Carson is an Equal Opportunity Employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the vibrant diversity of our community. This commitment is embraced at all levels of our organization, from our management staff to our policymakers. We partner with our staff and community organizations to ensure our policies and practices remain transparent and equitable. As part of this commitment, we regularly publish updated demographic information on our workforce, including data on diversity and pay equity by race and gender.
  
In accordance with the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Carson will consider all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history. Applicants are not required to disclose their criminal history or undergo a background check until receiving a conditional job offer. If any concerns arise from a background check, and the conviction is directly related to the role, applicants will have the opportunity to provide context, present mitigating evidence, or dispute the report's accuracy. For more information about the Fair Chance Act, please visit https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act. 
 
The City of Carson intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need a special accommodation during the recruitment process or would like this information in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources at (310) 952-1736.